They don’t make…….

October 2024

.......girls or gloves like these anymore

 

 

Two pairs of beautiful Pinkham gloves found their way to  the collection last month.

Clearly unworn they are in new condition and again show exactly why Pinkham gloves were considered to be the finest of their time.

 

 

Ida aged 21 in 1940

 

 

The gloves belonged to Lancashire lass Mrs Ida Pilkington née Tomlinson.

Ida was born in Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire in 1918 and caused quite a stir when she was the first woman to wear trousers in the village and the first woman to drive a car in the village.

Both of which were considered scandalous at the time and certainly shows the measure of the girl.

 

 

These striking evening gloves were found by her granddaughter Rosalyn Cropper following Ida’s passing in 2015 at the age of ninety seven.

Rosalyn said

“Granny P was pushing sartorial boundaries even then.
She was a fantastic lady and very creative and artistic and stylish so I am not surprised the lovely Pinkham gloves appealed to her!
Despite being a farmer's wife she was really into swanky events and took Grandad, kicking and screaming to recitals and all sorts of shows.  I imagine, as he was 19 years older than her he was not as refined!
The fact that the gloves have never been worn must mean she was probably saving them for a special occasion. After all she was a farmer’s wife.”

If only the gloves could tell us their side of the story!!!